(Please read the Scripture passage before reading the homily.)“When the Advocate comes…” Earlier Jesus had spoken of another Advocate. Here he doesn’t add the word another. There are two advocates, Jesus and the Spirit. Both proceed from the Father. The Advocate is like an important person in a criminal trial. The Advocate testifies to the facts. The Advocate knows the truth about Jesus and will state the truth.
The Advocate also supports others in their testimony. The Advocate will support those who have been with Jesus from the beginning. The Advocate will support all who give testimony about the Lord Jesus, all those who are with Jesus now.
What they have done to Jesus, the adversaries will do also to the disciples. Because of the difficulties the disciples face, they will need the Advocate to support them in their bearing witness.
Just as persecution was the lot of Jesus, so persecution will be the lot of the disciples of Jesus, those first disciples, and us who follow Jesus. The Advocate will enable the disciples of Jesus to give true testimony despite the pain and frustration inflicted by the adversaries. This is the challenging news.
There is more, however. The Advocate and Jesus have won and we shall share their victory. We have to remember that Jesus has warned us about when these times of persecution come. I should note that this persecution does not come from government rule and laws. The persecution comes from our society and our culture and so is apt to catch us off guard. When it does come, we must remember that Jesus has told us about it beforehand. We do no9t, however, hav3e to fear because the Advocate is with us already.